The Dow's ascent was the second-fastest 1,000-point move in market history at 42 days. That is the fastest since the 59-session span between March and July 2007. It is second only to the 1,000-point gain registered in 24 days back in April and May 1999.

Banking stocks Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) and JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) have accounted for roughly 20% of the index's gains during the 42-day stretch. The markets also received a big boost from Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA), which registered gains over 4% after the company topped Wall Street earnings expectations before the bell.

Let's look at the numbers from Wednesday for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq:

The Dow Jones surged more than 155 points and crossed over the psychological barrier of Dow 20k for the first time in market history. Traders were cheering the historic milestone, and many on Wall Street were already pointing their eyes toward the next barrier: Dow 21,000.

This market milestone sent analysts, media sites, and investors into a celebratory frenzy. But there's an arguably more important market milestone on the horizon. One that could, and perhaps should, overshadow Dow Jones 20k.

Crude oil prices were falling after the U.S. Energy Information Administration announced a larger than expected increase in U.S. oil inventories. U.S. stockpiles increased by 2.8 million barrels during the week ending Jan. 20. That figure was largely in line with a report by private trade group the American Petroleum Institute on Tuesday.

With the Brexit back in the news, UK Prime Minister Theresa May must now work with Parliament to enforce the people's will to depart the European Union. While May is expected to meet with President Trump on Thursday to talk about a bilateral trade deal, there is something very important happening in Europe regarding the energy industry. Money Morning Global Energy Specialist Dr. Kent Moors offers an important story on the shifting geopolitical landscape and power that is transferring out of London due to the Brexit. Find out what city is poised to benefit the most and what it means for global energy traders, right here.

But the big story is the standoff between President Donald Trump and Mexico.

President Trump issued an executive order that set the path for the construction of a border wall between the United States and Mexico. Trump also plans to enforce immigration laws and take aim at "sanctuary cities" that harbor undocumented immigrants. The actions come a day after Trump said he wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Mexico and Canada.

Mexico has issued stern warnings to President Trump about NAFTA talks. It is willing to "modernize" the agreement, but deal breakers include the wall, remittances, and a worse deal than the current one. With 80% of Mexico's exports coming to American markets, this trade deal is a very important issue for the Mexican economy.

Stock Market News and Top Stocks to Watch Today: Jan. 25, 2017

In deal news, shares of Arctic Cat Inc. (Nasdaq: ACAT) popped more than 41%. The Arctic Cat stock price skyrocketed on news that the company will be purchased by Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) for $247 million in cash. Shares of Textron fell more than 6% on the news. Here's more on the deal.

Corporate sponsorships are taking it to the next level in American sports. During the 2017-18 season of the National Basketball Association (NBA), General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) will have a logo patch on the jerseys of the Boston Celtics. The company just relocated to Boston and will become the third NBA team to sell corporate sponsorship. It is a pivotal moment in sports as the NBA has become the first major sports league to allow company names and logos on a jersey. The Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers both previously sold jersey sponsorship rights and will take part in a three-year marketing trial when the new season starts next fall.

Meanwhile, Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO) announced plans to purchase privately held AppDynamics for roughly $3.7 billion. AppDynamics is an application intelligence software firm that had planned its own IPO. CSCO stock added 0.4% on the day.

Shares of Western Digital Corp. (NYSE: WDC) gained more than 5% and hit a 52-week high ahead of its earnings report after the bell Wednesday. The semiconductor company surged after Seagate Technology Plc. (Nasdaq: STX) crushed earnings expectations and launched the semiconductor industry even higher. Shares of STX stock rallied over 14% on the day.

Must Read – This Great Depression-era "Secret" Helped Transform Two Teachers into Millionaires:Donna and Dave R. were both teachers in Boston. But today they're retired millionaires who are also earning $10,000 a month in income. Their secret? Much of their wealth is due to a Great Depression-era "program" most have no idea exists.Full Story

Money Morning gives you access to a team of ten market experts with more than 250 years of combined investing experience – for free. Our experts – who have appeared on FOXBusiness, CNBC, NPR, and BloombergTV – deliver daily investing tips and stock picks, provide analysis with actions to take, and answer your biggest market questions. Our goal is to help our millions of e-newsletter subscribers and Moneymorning.com visitors become smarter, more confident investors.